Couple Showdown at the ACM Awards

Jon Freeman

Nominations are out for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and there are some interesting results that pit couples against one another. Of course, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton are both (deservedly) nominated in the Entertainer of the Year category, but there's another one to watch come showtime.

Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer, who became engaged in January, won the preliminary New Male Artist of the Year and New Female Artist of the Year honors, respectively. They now advance to the fan-voted final New Artist of the Year pool, which also includes duo Florida Georgia Line. As for any domestic competition regarding the award, Brantley laughs at the notion.

“I got asked, ‘Who’s going to bring home the next award?’” he says. “And I said, ‘You know what, it’s going to the same house, so it don’t really matter.’”

Jana says just being mentioned is its own award, and the pair will be supporting one another whatever the outcome. “We’re so different that it’s not a competition, if that makes sense,” she explains. “If he were to win and I didn’t, I support him 100 percent.” She pauses, then slyly adds, “I might be bitter for like a second. I might be like, ‘Maybe you could take me out to dinner and surprise me or something.’ Just kidding!” she says, laughing.

Brantley says he's just going to enjoy the show, and having Jana there by his side. "It’s always an honor to be nominated," he acknowledges. "[I'm] definitely looking forward to the show. You know I’m gonna have the hottest date in the house, so that’s always a plus."

Find out who wins when the 48th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, April 7, on CBS.